Review: The joyous pleasure that is Orpheus at BAC
01/05/2013
Confess that I initially dismissed seeing Orpheus because it sounded too much like a musical. And it is, vaguely. However, recommendation by two people, whose opinions I value, led me to the Battersea Arts Centre last night and I'm so glad I went along.
Orpheus is a joyous pleasure that is virtually indescribable and nothing I write will do it the justice it deserves. Not even the trailer does it justice. Needless to say it is different from anything else you'll see around at the moment.
Set in 1933 Paris, Orpheus is a play within a play, a silent movie with opera, jazz and classical music and some talking. It is a mime show and a masque and a cabaret. It has prologue, epilogue and musical interludes. It has dancing and no fourth wall to speak of, indeed the audience is part of the story and the set. It is Greek tragedy with Django Reinhardt, Edith Piaf and Paris chic, it is wry and witty, clever and fun.
It's the sort of show where it is best to arrive early, buy a bottle of red wine at the bar and nab a table near the front. It's also the sort of show where sitting eating baked Camembert, bread and olives during the performance is encouraged in fact it adds to the jazz club atmosphere.
Orpheus had me grinning throughout and whooping at the end. If you want something refreshingly different and thoroughly entertaining you can catch it until May 11.
Watch the making of video for a bit more insight: